Salvia plant named ‘GRUSALRP’

ABSTRACT

‘GRUSALRP’ is a new and distinctive  Salvia  plant which is characterized by a broad upright growth habit, a broad inverted triangular plant form, large dark green foliage, an abundance of dark violet flowers borne on long terminal inflorescences that sit above the foliage, and plants bearing a large number of inflorescences at once. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Salvia x sylvestris.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Salvia disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘GRUSALRP’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘GRUSALRP’ is a naturally occurring, whole-plant mutation of Salvia x sylvestris ‘Rianne’ (Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 41746) which was discovered at a commercial nursery in Rockanje, the Netherlands in May of 2019. The mutation was noted for its abundance of tall inflorescence bearing an abundance of dark violet flowers. The mutation was isolated for further evaluation in order to confirm the distinctness and stability of the characteristics first observed. Upon confirmation of distinctness and stability, ‘GRUSALRP’ was selected for commercialization.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘GRUSALRP’ was first accomplished in autumn of 2019 by rooting softwood stem cuttings at a commercial greenhouse in Rockanje, the Netherlands. Two successive generations have shown that the unique features of the instant cultivar are stable and reproduce true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘GRUSALRP’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the instant environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Salvia plant, ‘GRUSALRP’.

-   -   1. Salvia ‘GRUSALRP’ exhibits a broad, upright growth habit with         a broad, inverted triangular plant profile; and     -   2. Salvia ‘GRUSALRP’ exhibits large, dark green foliage; and     -   3. Salvia ‘GRUSALRP’ exhibits an abundance of relatively large,         dark violet labiate flowers borne on long, terminal         verticillaster inflorescences that sit above the foliage; and     -   4. Salvia ‘GRUSALRP’ exhibits a floriferous flowering habit with         plants bearing a large number of inflorescences at once.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, an exemplary ‘GRUSALRP’ plant at approximately 3 months old, potted into an 11 cm nursery pot, grown in a greenhouse in Rockajne, the Netherlands.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of ‘GRUSALRP’.

FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical inflorescence of ‘GRUSALRP’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Salvia known as ‘GRUSALRP’, based upon observations of 3 month old plants in 11 cm nursery containers, grown outdoors in Rockanje, the Netherlands. Plants were grown using conventional field production protocols for Salvia plants which consisted of regular overhead irrigation. No pest or disease control measures were utilized in production. Temperatures ranged between 18 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day and 12 to 22 degrees Celsius at night. Plants were produced with full sun exposure and no photoperiodic treatments or artificial light was given to the plants. Observation data was recorded in September of 2019.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘GRUSALRP’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such measurements are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 edition.

A botanical description of ‘GRUSALRP’ and comparisons with the parent plants and most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—A broad, upright herbaceous perennial.         -   Plant profile.—Broad, inverted triangular.         -   Height.—18.5 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 35.2 cm to             the top of the floral plane.         -   Spread.—31.5 cm.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate vigorous.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast growing.         -   Propagation.—Softwood stem cuttings; rooting is initiated in             approximately 10 days when grown in a greenhouse with an             ambient average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.         -   Time to produce a finished plant.—Approximately 12 weeks are             required to produce a marketable finished plant in a 13 cm             pot.         -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Not any more or less             tolerant or susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect             Salvia.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 3             to 10 and temperatures ranging from minus 28 degrees Celsius             to 40 degrees Celsius; moderate to high tolerance to rain;             moderate tolerance to wind. -   Root system: Thin, fibrous, and freely branched. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Basally branching main stems growing from a             caudex; freely branching with short lateral branches. Stems             and branches emit a slight fragrance when touched, typical             for the species. Pinching isn't required but will improve             branching.         -   Number of main stems per plant.—8.         -   Number of lateral branches per plant.—4.         -   Appearance and shape.—Quandrangulate.         -   Main stem length.—13.5 cm, excluding the inflorescence.         -   Main stem diameter.—3.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—3.1 cm.         -   Texture.—Moderately pubescent; very short, soft hairs with             an average length of 0.05 cm and colored translucent white,             RHS NN155D.         -   Luster.—Matte.         -   Aspect.—Main stems are upright; lateral branches are at an             average angle of 50 degrees to the main stems (varying             between 10 and 90 degrees).         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest RHS 144B.         -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest RHS 144B.         -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Abundance of foliage.—Abundant.         -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 7.0 cm long and 3.0 cm wide, on             average. Shape — Narrow ovate to narrow oblong. Aspect —             Flat to involute and slightly reflexed. Apex — Broad,             bluntly acute. Base — Cordate. Margin — Crenate; not             undulated. Pubescence and luster of adaxial surface —             Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly glossy. Pubescence and             luster of abaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous, and matte.             Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest             to RHS NN137B. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Green,             nearest to RHS 138B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface —             Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Mature foliage, abaxial             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B. Venation —             Pattern — Pinnate. Venation color, adaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to 145A. Venation color, abaxial             surface — Yellow-green, RHS 145B.         -   Petiole.—Length — 0.8 cm. Width — Petioles are flattened;             0.225 cm, horizontally, and 0.125 cm, vertically. Texture,             adaxial surface — Glabrous. Texture, abaxial surface —             Glabrous. Margins — Moderately pubescent with short hairs             with an average length of 0.01 cm and colored translucent             white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Luster, adaxial surface —             Slightly glossy. Luster, abaxial surface — Slightly glossy.             Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A.             Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B.             Strength — Strong. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Type.—Terminal verticillaster with individual flowers in             whorls.         -   Natural flowering season.—Late spring into summer in             Rockanje, the Netherlands.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 weeks after flowering.         -   Flowering habit.—Very freely flowering.         -   Dimensions.—An average of 19.1 cm high, not including             peduncle, and 2.4 cm in diameter.         -   Quantity of inflorescence per plant.—15, on average.         -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Approximately 2,500             flowers and buds.         -   Attitude.—Upright.         -   Peduncles.—Length — 18.6 cm. Diameter — 0.2 cm. Aspect —             Quadrangulate. Attitude — Upright; near vertical. Strength —             Strong. Texture — Moderately pubescent; short glandular             hairs with an average length of 0.05 cm and colored             translucent white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Luster — Matte.             Color — Green, RHS 1388, and moderately blotched             greyed-purple, RHS 187A. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Length.—Average of 0.55 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm, horizontally; 0.3 cm, vertically.         -   Texture.—Moderately pubescent; very short glandular hairs             with an average length of 0.02 cm and colored white, nearest             to RHS NN155D.         -   Luster.—Matte.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, RHS 147A, and fading lighter towards             the base, RHS 144B; veined purple, RHS N77C. Immature sepals             are violet, RHS 86A, and finely dotted white, RHS NN155D. -   Flower:     -   -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.         -   Shape.—Labiate.         -   Dimensions of the flower height.—Length is 1.05 cm, vertical             height is 1.0 cm, and the horizontal width is 0.6 cm.         -   Floral throat diameter.—0.1 cm.         -   Dimensions of the floral tube.—Tube flattened; length is             0.45 cm, vertical height is 0.15 cm, and the horizontal             width is 0.1 cm.         -   Attitude.—Outward facing.         -   Fragrance.—Non-fragrant.         -   Lastingness.—Approximately 10 days.         -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Pedicels.—Dimensions — 0.2 cm long and 0.5 cm in diameter.             Attitude — Upward; approximately 60 degrees to the peduncle             axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture — Densely             pubescent; short glandular hairs with an average length of             0.02 cm and colored translucent white, nearest to RHS             NN155D. Luster — Matte. Color — Purple, nearest to in             between RHS N77C and N77D.         -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — 2. Arrangement — Labiate; one             upper lip and one lower lip which with approximately 35             percent of the proximal portion of the corolla fused. Shape             of petal lobes — Upper lip is folded into an oblanceolate             shape; lower lip is spatulate with a larger central lobe and             two smaller lateral lobes. Dimensions, free portion of the             upper petal — 0.7 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Dimensions, free             portion of the lower petal — 0.6 cm long and 0.6 cm wide.             Apex — Upper lip is emarginate; lobes of the lower lip are             obtuse. Base — Truncate; fused at the base. Margin — Both             petal lobes with entire margins; upper petal not undulated             and lower petal slightly undulated. Aspect, upper lip —             Concave. Aspect, lower lip — Central lobe is carinate and             reflexed; lateral lobes are concave. Pubescence, texture and             luster of upper surface — Both petals are glabrous, slightly             velvety and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower             surface — Moderately pubescent with short glandular hairs             that have an average length of 0.02 cm and are colored the             same as the petal; slightly velvety and matte. Petal color             when opening, upper surface — Upper petal — Violet, RHS             N88B; no visible venation. Lower petal — Violet, RHS N89D;             no visible venation. Petal color when opening, lower surface             — Upper petal — Violet, RHS N88B, and finely dotted white,             RHS NN155D; no visible venation. Lower petal — Violet, RHS             N88A; no visible venation. Petal color when fully opened,             upper surface — Upper petal — Violet, RHS N88B; no visible             venation. Lower petal — Violet, RHS N88B; no visible             venation. Petal color when fully opened, lower surface —             Upper petal — Violet, RHS N88B, and finely dotted white, RHS             NN155D; no visible venation. Lower petal — Violet, RHS N88A;             no visible venation. Upper petal, faded color — Upper petal             — Violet, RHS N88B; no visible venation. Lower petal —             Central lobe is violet, RHS N88A; lateral lobes are violet,             RHS 86B; no visible venation. Lower petal, faded color —             Upper petal — Violet, RHS N88A, and finely dotted white, RHS             NN155D; no visible venation. Lower petal — Central lobe is             violet, RHS N88A; lateral lobes are violet, RHS 86B; no             visible venation. Floral throat color — Violet, RHS 86B; no             visible venation. Floral tube color when fully opened, inner             and outer surfaces — Violet, RHS 86B, and fading to white             towards the base, nearest to RHS N155A; no visible venation.         -   Calyx.—Shape — Campanulate. Dimensions — Calyx is flattened;             length is 0.6 cm, the height is 0.35 cm, and the width is             0.25 cm. Sepals — Length — 0.6 cm. Width — 0.25 cm.             Arrangement — Campanulate; the proximal 70 percent of the             sepals are fused. Quantity — 2. Shape — Both sepals             oblanceolate. Apex — Upper sepal is emarginate; lower sepal             is cleft. Base — Fused. Sepal lobe margin — Both sepals are             entire; not undulated; moderately pubescent with very short             glandular hairs with an average length of 0.2 cm and colored             translucent white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Pubescence,             texture and luster, upper surface — Both sepals are smooth,             glabrous, and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster, lower             surface — Both sepals are moderately pubescent with very             short glandular hairs with an average length of 0.2 cm and             colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Color when             opening, upper surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS             138B and 138C; veined darker green, RHS 139B. Color when             opening, lower surface — Yellow-green, RHS 147A, and fading             lighter towards the base, RHS 144B; veined purple, RHS N77C.             Color when fully opened, upper surface — Green, nearest to             in between RHS 138B and 138C; veined darker green, RHS 139B.             Color when fully opened, lower surface — Yellow-green, RHS             147B, and fading lighter towards the base, RHS 147C; veined             purple, RHS N77C. Floral bract — Position — Below each             floral bud. Quantity — 1. Shape — Broad ovate. Length —             0.7 cm. Width — 0.6 cm. Apex — Abruptly acute. Base — Broad             cuneate. Margin — Entire. Pubescence, texture and luster,             upper surface — Smooth, glabrous, and matte. Pubescence,             texture and luster, lower surface — Smooth, glabrous, and             matte. Color when fully opened, upper surface —             Yellow-green, RHS 145D, and slightly suffused with             greyed-purple, RNS 186D; veined green, RHS 137C. Color when             fully opened, lower surface — Yellow-green, RHS 145D, and             slightly suffused with greyed-purple, RNS 186D; veined             green, RHS 137C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — 2. Anthers — Attachment — Basifixed.             Shape — Narrow oblong. Dimensions — Approximately 0.15 cm             long and 0.05 cm wide. Color — Black, nearest to RHS 203A.             Filaments — Length — 0.4 cm, on average. Color — Violet, RHS             N87D. Pollen, amount — Sparse. Pollen color — Greyed-yellow,             nearest to RHS 160B.         -   Pistil.—Quantity — 1. Length — 1.4 cm. Style — Length —             1.3 cm. Color — Violet-blue, RHS 90D, and fading to white             towards the base, RHS N155A. Stigma — Shape — Cleft;             decurrent. Length — 0.1 cm. Diameter — 0.1 cm. Color —             Violet-blue, RHS N89B. Ovary Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144A. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit or seeds have been detected to date.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANTS AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRUSALRP’ differ from its parent, Salvia x sylvestris ‘Rianne’ (Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 41746), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘GRUSALRP’ ‘Rianne’ Plant height. Taller than ‘Rianne’. Shorter than ‘GRUSALRP’. Foliage size. Larger than ‘Rianne’. Smaller than ‘GRUSALRP’. Flower size. Larger than ‘Rianne’. Smaller than ‘GRUSALRP’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRUSALRP’ may be distinguished from its most similar known commercial comparator, Salvia ‘Blauhugel’ (not protected), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘GRUSALRP’ ‘Blauhugel’ Plant height, in Shorter than Taller than flower. ‘Blauhugel’. ‘GRUSALRP’. General coloration Darker shad of Lighter shade of of the flower. violet. violet. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Salvia hybrid plant named ‘GRUSALRP’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 